CONSISTENCY OF LINEAR SYSTEM OF

EQUATIONS
Consider the system of n equations
a11x1+ a12x2+……..+ a1nxn = k1
a21x1+ a22x2+……..+ a2nxn = k2
. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
am1x1+ am2x2+……..+ amnxn = km
Containing the n unknowns x1, x2, ……..,xn . To determine whether the given
system of equations are consistent (i.e., possess a solution ) or not, we consider
the ranks of the coefficient matrix, A and the augmented matrix, K based on
these ranks we can decide the consistency.
Procedure for consistency of a system of Non-Homogeneous
Linear equations

Let us take rank(A) = r and rank(K) = s

1. If r ≠ s, then the system is said to be inconsistent ( i.e., no solution ).
2. If r = s = n (no. of variables), then the system is said to be consistent and the
system has unique solution.
3. If r = s < n (no. of variables), then the system is consistent and there are
infinite number of solutions.
To find these infinite number of solutions giving arbitrary values to (n-r) of the
unknowns, we may express the other r unknowns in terms of these arbitrary
values.
Procedure for System of Homogeneous Linear Equations
Consider the system of n Homogeneous linear equations
a11x1+ a12x2+……..+ a1nxn = 0
a21x1+ a22x2+……..+ a2nxn = 0
. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
am1x1+ am2x2+……..+ amnxn = 0
Containing the n unknowns x1, x2, ……..,xn .
Homogeneous system has an obvious solution which is trivial (zero) solution.
Let rank(A) = r, rank(K) = s and n = number of variables and m = number of equations
1. If r = n, then the system has only trivial solution.
2. If r < n, then the system have n-r linearly independent solutions. This means by assigning n-r arbitrary values to
variables, the values of the remaining variables can uniquely found. Thus the system has infinite number of
solutions.
3. If m < n, the system has only trivial solution
4. If m=n, the necessary and sufficient condition for non trivial solution is determinant of coefficient matrix is zero.
 GAUSS ELIMINATION METHOD
In mathematics, the Gaussian elimination method is known as the row
reduction algorithm for solving linear equations systems. It consists of a
sequence of operations performed on the corresponding augmented
matrix.
Procedure:
Express the given system of linear equations in to matrix equation
AX = B, where A is the co-efficient matrix, X is the variable matrix and
B is the constant matrix. Find the ranks of A and K(augmented matrix)
then reduce the augmented matrix into Echelon from and reconstruct the
system of equations and solve the equations to the solution.
Example-1
Determine the solution of he following system of equations
x+y+z=2
x + 2y + 3z = 5
2x + 3y + 4z = 11
Solution: Given system of equations are
x + y + z = 2, x + 2y + 3z = 5, 2x + 3y + 4z = 11
Let us write these equations in matrix form. Express the Given system of equations in the form
AX=B

1 1 1  x   2 
    = 
1 2 3  y   5 
 2 3 4   z  11 
     

Consider the augmented matrix K = [ A/B ] =

Subtracting R1 from R2 to get the new elements of R2, i.e. R2 → R2 – R1.
From this we get,

Let us make another operation as R3 → R3 – 2R1

Subtract R2 from R1 to get the new elements of R1, i.e. R1 → R1 – R2.

Now, subtract R2 from R3 to get the new elements of R3, i.e. R3 → R3 – R2.

Here, rank(A) = 2 and rank(K) = 3. There rank (A) ≠ rank (K). Hence the system is inconsistent.
i.e., x – z = -1, y + 2z = 3, 0=4
That means, there is no solution for the given system of equations.
Example -2
Determine the solution of the following system of equations
x−y+z=8, 2x+3y−z= -2, 3x−2y−9z=9
Solution: Express the system in the form A X = B
 1 1 1   x   8 
     
 2 3 = 1  y    2
 3  2  9  z   9 
     
Augmented matrix is
 1 1 1 8 
 
 2 3 1  2
3  2 9 9 
 
   1 1 1 8 
 
Let us make an operation R2 → −2R1+R2, we get  0 5  3  18 
3  2  9 9 
 
 
Consider R3 → −3R1+R3
1 1 1 8 
 
 0 5  3  18 
 0 1  12  15 
 
 
Consider the operations
 1 1 1 8 
 
 0 1  12  15 
Interchange R2 and R3  0 5  3  18 
 
 
R3 → −5R2+R3

 1 1 1 8 
 
 0 1  12  15 
 0 0 57 57 
 
 
Perform R3 → 57/R3

 1 1 1 8 
 
 0 1  12  15 
0 0 1 1 
 
 
From the above matrix we get the new system of equations
x − y + z = 8, y −12z = -15, z=1
Solving the above equations we get the solution
x = 4, y = -3 and z =1
Example-3

Carolyn invests a total of $12,000 in two municipal bonds, one paying 10.5 interest and the other
paying 12 interest. The annual interest earned on the two investments last year was $1,335. How
much was invested at each rate?
Solution:
Let x be the amount invested at 10.5 interest, and y be the amount invested at 12 interest.
We have a system of two equations in two variables from the given data.
x + y = 12,000 and 0.105x + 0.12y = 1,335

 1 =1   x 12000 
     
 0 .105 0.12   y  1335 
Consider the augmented matrix

 1 1apply
12000R2
 → -0.105R1+R2 1 1 12000 
   
 0.105 0.12 1335   0 0.015 75 

0.015y=75 and x + y = 12000 from this y =5000 and x = 7000

Thus, $5,000 was invested at 12 interest and $7,000 at 10.5 interest.

 Example - 4

Ava invests a total of $10,000 in three accounts, one paying 5 interest, another paying 8 interest, and
the third paying 9 interest. The annual interest earned on the three investments last year was $770.
The amount invested at 9 was twice the amount invested at 5. How much was invested at each rate?
Solution:
Let x be the amount invested at 5 interest, let y be the amount invested at 8 interest, and
let z be the amount invested at 9 interest. Thus, we have three equations in three
variables
x + y + z = 10,000, 0.05x + 0.08y + 0.09z = 770, 2x–z=0
Augmented matrix is  1 1 1 10000 

 . 05 . 08 . 09 770 
 2 0 1 0 
 
 
Perform the operations 1 1 1 10000 
 
1 1 1 10000 
 0 .03 .04 270 
R2→ -0.05 R1+R2  R3→ - R1+R3

 0 .03 .04 270   0  2  3  20,000 
 2 0 1  
0 
   
 
1 1 1 10000  1 1 1 10000 
   
 0 1 4 / 3 9,000  0 1 4/3 9,000 
R2→ R2 / 0.03 0  2 
R3→ 20,000 
3 2R2+R3  0 0  1 / 3  2,000 
   
   
From this matrix the new system of equations are x + y + z = 10,000, y + (4/3) z = 9,000 and
(-1/3) z = -2,000
By solving the above equations we get x = 3,000, y = 1,000 and z = 6, 000

Hence $3,000 invested at 5 interest, $1,000 invested at 8, and $6,000 invested at 9 interest.

 Home work and Assignment Problems
1. A small shoe company took out a loan of $1,500,000 to expand their inventory. Part of the money was borrowed at 7, part was borrowed at 8, and
part was borrowed at 10. The amount borrowed at 10 was four times the amount borrowed at 7, and the annual interest on all three loans
was $130,500. Use matrices to find the amount borrowed at each rate.

2. Determine the solution of the equations 5x+3y+9z = -2, −2x+3y−z = -1, −x−4y+5z=1

3. A boy is walking along the path y = ax2 + bx + c through the points (-6, 8), (-2, -12) , and (3,8) . He wants to meet his friend at P(7, 60) . Will he meet

his friend? (Use Gaussian elimination method.)

4. Every day, a cupcake store sells 5,000 cupcakes in chocolate and vanilla flavors. If the chocolate flavor is 3 times as popular as the vanilla flavor, how
many of each cupcake sell per day?

5. A bag of mixed nuts contains cashews, pistachios, and almonds. There are 1,000 total nuts in the bag, and there are 100 less almonds than pistachios.
The cashews weigh 3 g, pistachios weigh 4 g, and almonds weigh 5 g. If the bag weighs 3.7 kg, find out how many of each type of nut is in the bag.

6. The cost of a ticket to the circus is $25.00 for children and $50.00 for adults. On a certain day, attendance at the circus is 2,000 and the total gate
revenue is $70,000. Evaluate the mathematical formation for finding how many children and how many adults bought tickets?
 Home work and Assignment Problems
7. Ace Novelty wishes to produce three types of souvenirs: types A, B, and C. To
manufacture a type-A souvenir requires 1 minutes on machine I, 2 minute on machine II,
and 3 minutes on machine III. A type-B souvenir requires 2 minute on machine I, 3 minutes
on machine II, and 4 minute on machine III. A type-C souvenir requires 3 minute on
machine I and 4 minutes on machines II and 1 minute on machine III. There are 14 min
available on machine I, 20 min available on machine II, and 14 min available on machine
III for processing the order. How many souvenirs of each type should Ace Novelty make in
order to use all of the available time, write the mathematical formulation to the problem.

8. Ram, Raj, and Ravi go to a restaurant for lunch and order three different items. Ram
orders 2 plates of fried rice, 3 plates of chicken pieces and 1-plate of curd rice. Raj orders 1
plate of fried rice, 2 plates of chicken pieces and 3 plates of curd rice. Ravi orders 3 plates
of fried rice, 1 plate of chicken pieces and 2 plates of curd rice. Ram’s bill costs $9, Raj’s
costs $6, and Ravi’s costs $8. Determine plate cost of each item, write the mathematical
formulation.
 Home work and Assignment Problems
9. The Johnson Farm has 500 acres of land allotted for cultivating corn and wheat. The cost
of cultivating corn and wheat (including seeds and labor) is $42 and $30 per acre,
respectively. Jacob Johnson has $18,600 available for cultivating these crops. If he wishes to
use all the allotted land and his entire budget for cultivating these two crops, how many acres
of each crop should he plant?

10. Anne is trying to choose between two phone plans. The first plan, with Vendafone, costs
$20 per month, with calls costing an additional 25 cents per minute. The second company,
Sellnet, charges $40 per month, but calls cost only 8 cents per minute. Which should she
choose?